Device for the treatment of diseases of the genital organs



March 29, 1938. I J. B. BIEDERMAN 2,112,646

DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE GENITAL ORGANS Filed Aug. 10,, 1956 Patented Mar. 29, 1938 sacrum oFFleE DEVICE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES OF THE GENITAL ORGANS Joseph Bear Biederman, Cincinnati, Ohio Application August 10, 1936, Serial No. 95,120

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a device for the treat ment of disorders of the genital organs by the alternate application of pressure and suction thereto, whereby the blood circulation of the treated organ is stimulated.

In the treatment of certain disorders of the male or female genital organs, it is generally desirable, as also in the treatment of disorders affecting other areas of the human body, to increase the flow of blood to the area affected. Heretofore this increase of circulation has been efieoted usually by the indirect method of heat stimulation, attained either through the application of chemical agents or by the use of electrical heating elements. The principal object of the present invention is to provide means of a mechanical nature whereby blood circulation may be stimulated to an even higher degree than may ordinarily be accomplished by the agencies just mentioned. It thus becomes possible to treat such disorders, for instance, as penial ulcers with increased efiiciency, and it is also possible to stimulate favorably the virility of the organ when impaired either by disease or sympathetic conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device or applicator whereby alternate pressure and suction may be efiectively applied to the penis or other genital organs. By reason of the irregularity of contour surrounding the organ to be treated, it becomes a matter of great difficulty to apply alternating pressures, above and below atmospheric pressure, to the penis or other genital organ, male or female, as a substantially perfect seal is required between the applicator and body surface, otherwise the variations from the mean atmospheric pressure on the organ will be so minimized, or wholly prevented, as to reduce greatly or wholly negative the effectiveness of the device. In the present invention I have provided in connection with the applicator a lip or membrane entirely surrounding the applicator whereby a perfect seal between said applicator and the patients body surrounding the organ to be treated may be had.

Further objects of my invention will appear from the following detailed description thereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a cross section of the contacting or sealing means between the applicator and body;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 2, the contacting element being, however, compressed as when in use;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the complete system for generating and applying alternating pressure and suction in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 is an elevation showing the applicator in use.

Referring first comprehensively to the system involved in this invention as illustrated in Figure 4, the numeral l indicates a reciprocating, or piston, pump arranged to be driven through a rocking arm 2 by means of a-motor 3. The alternating pressures in the chamber 4 of the pump are transmitted by means of a hose or other flexible connection 5 to the applicator 6, whereby such alternating pressures, positive and negative, are applied to the parts to be treated.

In Figure 1 the applicator is illustrated. It consists basically of a body I which is of elongated plan, the side walls curving inwardly intermediate their length so as to form a somewhat constricted section between the portions 8-8 adapted to fit into the crotch between the patients legs. The body 1 is dished in cross section and the base 9 is preferably integrally formed with the side walls l; said body 1 is constructed of some rigid material such as bakelite, metal or other suitable substance. The base 9 is provided with a transparent panel H of glass or quartz which is fitted into the base so as to form an airtight joint. Secured to the body 1 are two looped straps l2-l2, which are adapted to fit around the thighs of the patient to secure the body firmly in place over the penis or other genital organ or organs. Secured to a fitting 13 of the body 'I is the hose or other flexible connector whereby alternating pressures generated by the pump I are transmitted to the applicator.

One of the important features of the present invention is the means provided for forming a satisfactorily airtight connection between the walls i 0 of the applicator and the body surfaces of the patient surrounding the genitals to be treated. This means is illustrated in detail in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing, and consists of a comparatively heavy bead 14 formed of some highly compressible spongy material, as for in-- stance, sponge rubber. This bead is secured to the lip of walls It! completely surrounding the body I. The surface of the bead is provided with an airtight covering l5, which may be a thin coating of rubber vulcanized over the sponge rubber of the bead. Secured to the lower portion of the bead I4 is a wide lip or membrane l6, which extends outwardly from the body 1, and a narrower lip or membrane I! which extends inwardly into the body. The membranes I6 and I! are preferably made of rubber and form, where they meet under the bead M a suction channel which extends entirely around the body I. They may be and preferably are integrally formed with the covering l5 of the bead.

In Figure 5 the applicator is shown secured in position for treatment of a patient. As so secured the body of the applicator is secured into the crotch between the legs of the patient, the straps i2-l2 being secured around the thighs of the wearer and being of such tension as to compress the beads H tightly against the body surfaces. By reason of the spongy and-highly compressible nature of the bead it conforms readily to the bodily contour, Figure 3 of the drawing illustrating a section of the bead under compression. Prior to placement of the applicator, the skin surrounding the genitals to be treated is coated with some viscous fluid, such as glycerine or Vaseline, the coating being coextensive with the applied extension of the membranes l6 and I! of the applicator. This viscous fluid cooperating with the membranes and the suction effect of the channel between same, servesto perfect an airtight connection between the applicator and the patients body so as to permit maximum efliciency of the alternating pressure and suction generated by the pump l. During application of the treatment the physician is able to view the treatment through the transparent panel ll so as to permit accurate judgment as to thetime and intensity of the treatment.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in the details of my invention as above set forth, and I desire that such changes and alterations as come within the purview of the appended claims may be considered as fully covered hereby.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the character specified incombination with a rigid dished body portion, an air tight compressible bead secured entirely around the rim of said body portion, a flexible membrane on the lower edge of said bead, said membrane forming a free flap extending outwardly from and entirely surrounding said bead, and a membrane on the lower edge of said bead, the latter membrane forming a free flap extending from said first membrane inwardly into and entirely around said bead.

2. In a device of the character specified in combination with a rigid dished body portion; an air tight compressible bead secured entirely around the rim of said body portion, a flexible membrane on the lower edge of said bead, said membrane forming a free flap extending outwardly from and entirely surrounding said bead, and a membrane on the lower edge of said bead, the latter membrane forming a free flap extending from said first membrane inwardly into and entirely around said bead, the combined contour of said first and second membranes forming a vacuum channel under and entirely around said bead.

JOSEPH BEAR BIEDERMAN. 

